Getting Started with Tap.Giving
Everything you need to get your church ready for tap-to-give. Follow these steps and you’ll be live on launch day.
Launch Checklist
Installation Guide
Adhesive Back (Most Common)
Every plate comes with a strong adhesive back. This works great on smooth, flat surfaces like finished wood pews, plastic chair backs, and metal surfaces.
- 1.Clean the surface with a dry cloth. Make sure it’s free of dust and oils.
- 2.Peel the adhesive backing off the plate.
- 3.Place the plate on the back of the pew or chair, centered and at a comfortable reach height.
- 4.Press firmly for 10 seconds. The adhesive strengthens over 24 hours.
Tip: Place plates on the back of the pew in front, so the person seated behind can easily reach it.
Screw Mount
For churches that want a permanent mount. Plates can be ordered with pre-drilled holes. Works best on wooden pew backs.
- 1.Hold the plate in position and mark the screw holes with a pencil.
- 2.Pre-drill pilot holes (recommended to avoid splitting wood).
- 3.Align the plate and secure with small screws. Don’t overtighten.
Note: Plates with screw holes also include adhesive backing, so you have both options.
Elastic Bands (For Chairs)
If your church uses stackable or folding chairs, elastic bands wrap around the chair back to hold the plate in place. No adhesive needed — easy to remove and reposition.
- 1.Loop the elastic band around the back of the chair.
- 2.Slide the plate into position on the band.
- 3.Adjust so the plate sits flat and centered on the chair back.
Tip: Standard bands fit most church chairs. Let us know your chair dimensions if you’re unsure.
Placement Tips
- Mount at seated arm height — people should be able to tap without leaning forward.
- Center the plate on the pew/chair back so it’s visible and accessible from any seat.
- You don’t need a plate on every row. Every 2–3 rows works well for most churches.
- Avoid placing plates near metal framing, which can interfere with NFC signals.
Announce It to Your Church
The biggest mistake churches make is installing plates without telling anyone. A quick announcement during service makes all the difference.
Announcement Slide
Drop this into your worship software (ProPresenter, EasyWorship, PowerPoint, etc.) and display it during the giving moment.
Customize in CanvaWhat to Say
Here’s a simple script your pastor or worship leader can use:
Launch Day Tips
- Announce from the stage. Don’t rely on people noticing the plates on their own. A verbal introduction is essential.
- Have volunteers in the lobby. Station 2–3 people to demo the tap and help anyone whose phone doesn’t work immediately.
- Announce it for 3–4 weeks in a row. Not everyone is there every Sunday, and it takes repetition for new habits to form.
- Include it in your bulletin or newsletter. A short note explaining how tap-to-give works goes a long way.
Phone Settings & NFC Help
Most phones work out of the box, but here’s how to help anyone who has trouble.
iPhone
iPhone XR/XS and newer read NFC automatically — no setup needed. Just hold the top of the phone near the plate.
- iPhone 7–X: Open the Camera app or Control Center NFC reader, then tap.
- iPhone XR/XS and newer: Just tap. NFC reads in the background automatically.
- Tap near the top of the phone — the NFC antenna is at the top edge.
Android
Most Android phones have NFC built in. If tapping doesn’t work, check these settings:
- Go to Settings → Connected Devices → NFC and make sure it’s turned on.
- On Samsung: Settings → Connections → NFC and Contactless Payments → On
- Tap near the center of the phone — most Android NFC antennas are in the middle of the back.
- Remove thick cases if the tap isn’t registering. Most cases work fine, but very thick or metal cases can block NFC.
Troubleshooting
- Make sure the phone is unlocked. NFC won’t trigger on a locked screen for most Android phones.
- Tap slowly and hold for 1–2 seconds. Don’t just bump it — hold the phone flat against the plate.
- Try tapping a different spot. The NFC antenna location varies by phone model.
- Check NFC is enabled in phone settings (see above).
- Remove the phone case temporarily if it’s very thick or has a metal plate inside (like a magnetic mount).
Each plate is programmed with your giving URL during production. If the wrong page is opening, contact us at [email protected] and we’ll help troubleshoot. In most cases, we can reprogram the URL remotely if the NFC tag was left unlocked.
- Clean the surface first. Dust, oils, and lacquer build-up can weaken adhesive. Wipe with rubbing alcohol and let dry.
- Give it 24 hours. The adhesive reaches full strength after a day. Avoid bumping the plate during this time.
- Rough or textured surfaces may need extra help. Use nano double-sided tape (available at hardware stores) for additional hold.
- Consider screw mounting for high-traffic areas or if adhesive keeps failing.
If your plates were programmed with an unlocked NFC tag, yes — you can reprogram them using a free NFC writing app (like NFC Tools on iPhone or Android). If the tags were locked during production, the URL is permanent. We recommend leaving tags unlocked unless you have a specific reason to lock them. Contact us if you need help.
No. Most churches place one plate every 2–3 seats or on every other row. The goal is for everyone to be within arm’s reach of a plate. For a church with 200 seats, 80–100 plates typically covers it well.
Plates are made from 3mm PVC with a UV-printed surface. They’re waterproof, scratch-resistant, and designed for years of daily use. The NFC chip inside has no battery and doesn’t wear out — it’s powered by the phone’s signal when tapped.
Need Help?
I’m here to make sure your launch goes smoothly.
Ryan Shook, Founder — Tap.Giving